Current-tap.



G.' E THOMAS..

CURRENT TAP.

APPLICATION MED JAN. 15. 1915.'

Lm@ y mme@ m, 11,1911?.

@mit wenn known ratchet type is shown. The two buttons 53; and 52 are spaced apart by three standards 53, 5a and 55, the first of which carries the usual chain bell 56, While the two latter carry two binding screws 57 and 58 and Storm the Wire terminals of the socket.

`The terminal 54 is directly connected through the screw 59 with the shell terminal 4l which is thus constantly connected in one branch of the circuit. The otlier'terminal 55 has secured beneath the same one of the switch terminals 6l which is angled over one of the teeth of the ratchet boss formed on the inner face of the button 52. rEhe opposite tooth of the ratchet boss is overlaid by the terminal 62 which isf con- .nec-ted to the center contact of the socket in well understood manner. The two tap terminals 6 3 and 6% are not symmetrically arranged in this construction as in the others, but their bases are attached to the Wire terminals in like manner and their contacts are presented within the channels of the laterally extending boss in precisely the same manner as in the other constructions.

In all of the constructions illustrated the tap terminals extend so far into the boss 26 that the point at which the jacks of the plug 35 make and break contact therewith is located outside the area of the shell. This is a feature of particular importance in switched .sockets `in View of the possible danger of arcing which might occur were the break to occur within the casing in proximity to the switch elements.

Various adaptations of the invention to other socket arrangements will readily suggest themsel'ves to those skilled in the art and l do not limit my invention to lamp a-,eaeeea sockets or to the details shown which may be modified Without departing from what I claim as my invention.

I claim as my invention l. An electric lamp socket comprising a metallic casing with lateral aperture, an insulating body within the casing and having a pierced boss projecting through said lateral aperture, lamp and wire terminals carried by said insulating body, and tap terminals electrically connected to said wire terminals and projecting into said pierced boss beyond the area of the casing to receive the termi nals of a coperating attachment plug and make and break contact therewith outside the area of the casing.

2. An electric lamp socket. comprising,r a metallic casing with lateral aperture, an insulating body within the casing comprising a pair of buttons haring registering slotted projections which form a pierced boss passn ing through said lateral aperture in the casing, lamp and Wire terminals carried by said insulating body, and tap terminals electrically and inseparably connected to said wire terminals and projecting into said pierced boss beyond the area of the casing to receive the terminals of a coperating 'attachment plug. i

3. An electric lamp socket comprising a metallic casing with lateral aperture, an insulating body within the casing comprising a pair ot' insulating buttons having registering slotted projections hich form a boss pierced by a pair of parallel guide-Ways and projecting through said lateral aperture in the casing, lamp and wire terminals carried by said insulating body, and tap terminals electrically connected to said Wire terminals and projecting into the respective guideways in said boss to receive the terminals of a. co operating attachment plug.

In testimony whereof I have signed my `name to this specication, in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

GEORGE B. THOMAS. lVi/litnesses G. W. Goonnrnen, -H. M. Wronnn'r. 

